This blog began through a NIFA grant for Missouri Beginning Farmers. It continues today as a way for beginning farmers to learn about new ideas and to hear about upcoming events of interest. It is maintained by Debi Kelly (kellyd@missouri.edu).

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As an Extension Associate with the University of Missouri, I work with beginning farmers, small farms, alternative agriculture and organic farming. I am also the Co-coordinator for the Missouri Sustainable Agriculture and Research (SARE) Education Professional Development Program (PDP).

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Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Crop Diversification…How many varieties should I grow?

Small farms, and new farms, tend to
be extremely diverse in their enterprises, market outlets, and crop
selections. The number of different crops and the number of different
varieties of each individual crop grown on any given farm can reach an
impressive total. And sure, crop diversity is necessary for ensuring that
no matter what pressure is put on your plants by pests, diseases, and extreme
weather events that you still have a harvest that season. It may not be
the exact crop mix, yield, or ready at the time that you had planned, but crop
diversification helps ensure that farm income will be generated.

In these winter months, during time
spent perusing the seed catalogs and talking about varieties with other
farmers, it can be hard to exercise self-restraint when choosing your crops and
varieties for the upcoming season. Even if your seed order is already in,
it may only take one discussion on a listserv to generate excitement
about a new variety of pepper, fueling a desire to add more diversity to your
crop mix. Right now growing 40 varieties of heirloom tomatoes for display
at the farmers' market may seem like a fantastic (and completely manageable)
idea for drawing in customers; this same idea may lose its appeal when you are
sorting and labeling your harvest in August.

Here are some key things to consider
as you are finalizing your seed order and crop plan for the season:

·Your
Market: Do your customers, whether direct or wholesale, care about choosing
between varieties or just about you growing the tastiest option? Do you have to
grow every single crop you offer your CSA members or can you buy a few in?

·Your
Farm Systems: What inefficiencies will an increase in the number of crops or
varieties you grow create in your system? Are the associated costs offset by
the sales generated by your crop diversity? What systems (i.e.
record-keeping or employee management) can you put in place to minimize the
impact of these inefficiencies?

·Your
Time: Is there an opportunity cost associated with growing a large number of
different crops? Is there an opportunity cost associated with NOT growing
a large number of different crops on your farm? How can you spend your
time most productively (and profitably)?

·Your
Crop Mix: Are you satisfied with the crops and varieties you are currently
growing?

·Your
Interest: To what extent does having a high crop diversity or trialing
different crop varieties peak your interest and count as a value of your farm
business?

If that last point rings true to you, check out this article
by farmer Becky Maden to learn more about best practices for trialing new crop
varieties on your farm! Trial by Farmer